used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
a feeling of delight at being entertained
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Patty hesitated, the cabman grew more impatient and less respectful.
arrestedverbUS /ərˈestɪd/
past form of “arrest” — take into custody
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
for the reason that
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
cabnounUS /kæb/
a compartment at the front of a motor vehicle or locomotive where driver sits
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
cabmannoun
someone who drives a taxi for a living
From this reading As Patty hesitated, the cabman grew more impatient and less respectful.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
Fairfield
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
farenounUS /fer/
an agenda of things to do
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
the experiencing of affective and emotional states
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
arousing or provoking laughter
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading As Patty hesitated, the cabman grew more impatient and less respectful.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
From this reading As Patty hesitated, the cabman grew more impatient and less respectful.
a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
hystericallyadverbUS /ˌhɪˈsterɪkli/
in a hysterical manner
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition
From this reading As Patty hesitated, the cabman grew more impatient and less respectful.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading As Patty hesitated, the cabman grew more impatient and less respectful.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading As Patty hesitated, the cabman grew more impatient and less respectful.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
on one occasion
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But though it seemed like a joke, it wasn't one.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
overwroughtadjectiveUS /ˌoʊvərˈrɔːt/
deeply agitated especially from emotion
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
owingadjectiveUS /ˈoʊɪŋ/
owed as a debt
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
PattynounUS /ˈpæti/
small flat mass of chopped food
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
Patty'snounUS /ˈpætiz/
possessive form of “patty” — small flat mass of chopped food
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
by chance
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
with speed
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
realisedadjectiveUS /ˈriːəlaɪzd/
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
RESCUEverbUS /ˈreskjuː/
free from harm or evil
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
respectfuladjectiveUS /rɪˈspektfəl/
full of or exhibiting respect
From this reading As Patty hesitated, the cabman grew more impatient and less respectful.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
a general conscious awareness
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
in some unspecified way or manner; or by some unspecified means
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Patty's feeling of amusement passed as quickly as it came, and she realised that she must do something at once.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But though it seemed like a joke, it wasn't one.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading To think that she, Patty Fairfield, was about to be arrested because she couldn't pay her cab fare, truly seemed like a joke.
precisely as stated
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A RESCUE Perhaps it was partly owing to Patty's natural sense of humour, or perhaps her overwrought nerves made her feel a little hysterically inclined, but somehow the situation suddenly struck her as being very funny.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But though it seemed like a joke, it wasn't one.
